CN101419784B - Timing controller, liquid crystal display comprising the same and driving method of liquid crystal display - Google Patents

Abstract

A timing controller, a liquid crystal display (LCD) comprising the timing controller, and a driving method of the LCD, wherein the LCD includes: an LCD panel; a light source unit divided into n light-emitting blocks and providing light to the LCD panel a side member, reflecting the light emitted from the light source unit; a timing controller, used to determine the final brightness of each of the n light-emitting blocks and provide final light data corresponding to the final brightness, using the The final luminance is determined by reflection luminance of light reflected by the part member; and a backlight driver for controlling the luminance of each of the n light-emitting blocks in response to the final light data.

Description

Timing controller, liquid crystal display and driving method of the liquid crystal display

technical field

The invention relates to a timing controller, a liquid crystal display including the timing controller and a driving method of the liquid crystal display.

Background technique

A liquid crystal display (LCD) generally includes an LCD panel having a first panel with pixel electrodes, a second panel with common electrodes, and a liquid crystal having dielectric anisotropy interposed between the first and second panels. (LC) layer. An electric field is formed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode, and the amount of light transmitted through the LCD panel is controlled by adjusting the strength of the electric field, thereby displaying a desired image.

Since LCDs are not self-luminous displays, in order to display images with a desired higher brightness level, various light emitting devices are required. For this, the timing controller provides light data for controlling the various lighting devices.

Contents of the invention

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a timing controller capable of improving display quality.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provide a liquid crystal display capable of improving display quality.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provide a method of driving a liquid crystal display capable of improving display quality.

The above and other exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be set forth in or are apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a timing controller that is surrounded by a side member that reflects light and provides light data to a light source unit divided into a plurality of light emitting blocks, the timing controller includes: The target brightness determination unit is used to receive image data and determine the target brightness of the i-th light-emitting block (1≤i≤n); the initial brightness determination unit is used to determine the target brightness corresponding to the i-th light-emitting block and lower than the target brightness, The initial brightness of the i-th light-emitting block; the intermediate brightness determination unit determines the j-th light-emitting block determined by the light diffused by the j-th light-emitting block (1≤j≤n, j≠i) for the i-th light-emitting block (1≤i≤n) ), determine the reflected brightness of the j-th light-emitting block for the i-th light-emitting block, and determine the intermediate brightness of the i-th light-emitting block by adding the initial brightness, reflected brightness and diffused brightness, wherein by emitting from the j-th light-emitting block And the light reflected by the side member and the reflected light determine the reflection brightness of the jth light-emitting block for the i-th light-emitting block; the comparator compares the intermediate brightness with the target brightness; and the corrector corrects the intermediate light data according to the comparison brightness information , determine the final brightness of the i-th light-emitting block and provide light data corresponding to the initial brightness.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal display (LCD), including: an LCD panel; a light source unit that is divided into n light-emitting blocks and provides light to the LCD panel; a side member that reflects light emitted from the light source unit of light; a timing controller for determining the final brightness of each of the n light-emitting blocks and providing final light data corresponding to the final brightness, determined using a reflected brightness based on light reflected from the side member the final brightness; and a backlight driver for controlling the brightness of each of the n light-emitting blocks in response to the final light data.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a driving method of a liquid crystal display (LCD), including: providing an LCD including an LCD panel, a light source unit divided into a plurality of light emitting blocks, and reflecting light supplied from the light source unit. determining a final luminance for each of the plurality of light-emitting blocks, the final luminance is determined using a reflected luminance determined by light reflected from the side member; providing light data corresponding to the final luminance; and in response to The light data controls the brightness of one of the plurality of light-emitting blocks.

Description of drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 is an exploded perspective view of a liquid crystal display (LCD) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display (LCD) including a timing controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel of the LCD shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the timing controller shown in Fig. 1;

5A is a perspective view illustrating the LCD panel shown in FIG. 1, a side member and a plurality of light emitting blocks;

5B to 5E are conceptual diagrams for explaining the operation of the intermediate brightness determination unit shown in FIG. 4;

6 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display (LCD) for explaining a timing controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display (LCD) including a timing controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

8 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display (LCD) including a timing controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display (LCD) including a timing controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

The advantages and features of the present invention and methods for realizing the present invention will be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments. This invention can however be embodied in many different forms and should not be limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the present invention will only be defined by the appended claims. Throughout this specification, the same reference numerals refer to similar elements.

A timing controller, a liquid crystal display (LCD) including the same, and a driving method of the LCD according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5E. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a liquid crystal display (LCD) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the liquid crystal display (LCD) including a timing controller shown in FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram of one pixel of the LCD shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the timing controller shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5B to 5E are conceptual views for explaining the operation of the intermediate luminance determination unit shown in FIG. 4 .

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the LCD 10 includes an LCD panel assembly 30 , a backlight assembly 80 , an upper chassis 20 and a lower chassis 70 .

The LCD panel assembly 30 includes an LCD panel 300 , a gate driver 400 , a data driver 500 and a timing controller 800 .

The LCD panel 300 may be divided into a plurality of display blocks DBi, and each display block DBi includes a plurality of pixels. The LCD panel 300 includes a plurality of gate lines G1-Gk and a plurality of data lines D1-Dj.

FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram of one pixel of the LCD shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . Referring to FIG. 3, each pixel PX connected to the fth gate line _Gf (where f=1-i) and the gth data line _Dg (where g=1-j) includes: connected to the gate line G _f and the switching element Qp of the data line _Dg , the liquid crystal capacitor Clc connected to the switching element Qp, and the storage capacitor Cst. The liquid crystal capacitor Clc includes the pixel electrode PE of the first panel 100 and the common electrode CE of the second panel 200 . The color filter CF is formed in the area of the common electrode CE.

The gate driver 400 receives the gate control signal CONT2 from the first timing controller 600, and applies the gate signal to the gate lines G1-Gk. In this exemplary embodiment, the gate signal is composed of a combination of a gate-on voltage Von and a gate-off voltage Voff supplied from a gate-on/off voltage generator (not shown). The gate control signal CONT2 is a signal for controlling the operation of the gate driver 400, and may include a vertical start signal for starting the gate driver 400 to operate, a gate clock signal for determining an output timing of the gate turn-on voltage, and an output enable signal for determining the pulse width of the gate-on voltage.

The data driver 500 receives the data control signal CONT1 from the first timing controller 600, and applies the image data voltage to the data lines D1-Dj. The data control signal CONT1 includes image data corresponding to red, green, and blue signals R, G, and B and signals for controlling the operation of the data driver 500 . The signal for controlling the operation of the data driver 500 may include a horizontal synchronization start signal instructing the data driver 500 to start operating, and an output command signal for commanding output of an image data voltage.

The gate driver 400 or the data driver 500 is mounted on a flexible printed circuit film (not shown) attached to the LCD panel 300 in the form of a tape carrier package. Instead, the gate driver 400 or the data driver 500 may be integrated on the LCD panel 300 together with the display signal lines G1-Gk and D1-Dj and the switching element Qp.

A circuit generating a gate control signal CONT2 supplied to the gate driver 400 and a circuit generating a data control signal CONT1 supplied to the data driver 500 are mounted on the circuit board 160 . For example, the timing controller 800 may be mounted on the circuit board 160 .

The LCD panel assembly 30 is located above the backlight assembly 80 and receives light for displaying images.

The backlight assembly 80 may include a side member 40, an optical sheet 50, an optical plate 60, and a light source unit composed of a plurality of light emitting blocks LB.

The side member 40 supports the LCD panel assembly 30, and receives the light sheet 50, the light plate 60, and the light source unit, ie, a plurality of light emitting blocks LB.

The inner side of the side member 40 can reflect light emitted from the plurality of light emitting blocks LB.

The light sheet 50 is installed on the light plate 60, and diffuses and collects light emitted from the plurality of light emitting blocks LB. The light panel 60 may be installed over a plurality of light emitting blocks LB and may improve brightness uniformity of light generated from the plurality of light emitting blocks LB.

The plurality of light emitting blocks LB emit light. Each of the plurality of light emitting blocks LB includes a light emitting element, which may be a light emitting diode (LED). The brightness of each light emitting block LB can be controlled by an image displayed on the LCD panel 300 . For example, the LCD panel is divided into a plurality of display blocks DBi corresponding to a plurality of light emitting blocks LB1-LBn. The brightness of each light-emitting block LB1-LBn can be controlled by the image of the corresponding display block DBi.

The lower chassis 70 and the upper chassis 20 accommodate the LCD panel assembly 30 and the backlight assembly 80 . The upper chassis 20 can be fixed together with the lower chassis 70 by a hook connection (not shown) and/or a wire connection (not shown).

The timing controller 800 can be functionally divided into a first timing controller 600 and a second timing controller 700 . The first timing controller 600 may control images displayed on the LCD panel 300, and the second timing controller 700 may provide light data (light data) LDAT to the 1st to nth backlight drivers 900_1~900_n.

The first timing controller 600 and the second timing controller 700 may not be physically separated from each other. On the contrary, the first timing controller 600 and the second timing controller 700 may be physically separated from each other, as shown in FIG. 2 . For example, the first timing controller 600 may be mounted on the circuit board 160, and the second timing controller 700 may be located on the bottom end surface of the lower chassis 70 to be connected to the plurality of light emitting blocks LB.

The first timing controller 600 receives R, G, B signals and external control signals Vsync, Hsync, Mclk, and DE for controlling display of the R, G, B signals from an external graphics controller (not shown). Based on the R, G, B signals and external control signals Vsync, Hsync, Mclk and DE, a data control signal CONT1 and a gate control signal CONT2 are generated. Examples of external control signals include a vertical synchronization signal Vsync, a horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, a master clock Mclk, a data enable signal DE, and the like.

The second timing controller 700 receives R, G, B signals and provides light data LDAT to the first to nth backlight drivers 900_1˜900_n through the serial bus SB. For example, the serial bus SB can be, but is not limited to, an integrated circuit bus (I2C). The second timing controller 700 can provide the light data LDAT to the 1st to nth backlight drivers 900_1˜900_n in various ways, and the specific description of the second timing controller 700 will be set forth below.

The 1st to nth backlight drivers 900_1~900_n control the brightness of each of the respective light emitting blocks LB1~LBn in response to the light data LDAT. For example, the 1st to nth backlight drivers 900_1~900_n may control the brightness of each light emitting block LB by outputting a pulse width modulation signal in response to the light data LDAT. Alternatively, the 1st to nth backlight drivers 900_1~900_n may control the brightness of each light-emitting block LB1-LBn by adjusting the amount of current supplied to each light-emitting block LB in response to the light data LDAT. In the present invention, the method of each of the backlight drivers 900_1~900_n controlling the light emitting blocks LB1~LBn is not limited to the illustrated exemplary embodiment.

The second timing controller 700 will now be described in detail.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4 , the second timing controller 700 includes an initial brightness determination unit 710 and a final brightness determination unit 720 . The initial brightness determination unit 710 receives the R, G, B signals provided to the i-th display block DBi and determines the initial brightness of the i-th light-emitting block LBi. The final brightness determination unit 720 receives the initial brightness information IB and determines the final brightness of the i-th light-emitting block LBi. The final luminance determining unit 720 determines the final luminance of the i-th light-emitting block LBi by: namely, the initial luminance IB of the i-th light-emitting block LBi, the reflection determined by the light reflected from the side member 40 and supplied to the i-th light-emitting block LBi. Brightness, the spreading brightness of the jth light-emitting block LBj to the i-th light-emitting block LBi (the spreading brightness is determined by the light diffused from the j-th light-emitting block LBj to the i-th light-emitting block LBi (1≤j≤n, i≠ j)) add up. The final luminance determination unit 720 provides light data LDAT corresponding to the final luminance to the i-th light-emitting block LBi, which will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5E .

FIG. 5A shows the LCD panel 300 of FIGS. 1 and 2 divided into a plurality of display blocks DBi, a plurality of light emitting blocks LBi, and a side member 40 surrounding and accommodating the plurality of light emitting blocks LBi. The i-th display block DBi corresponds to the i-th light-emitting block LBi.

First, the initial brightness determination unit 710 determines the initial brightness of the i-th display block DBi (described below).

The initial brightness determination unit 710 receives the R, G, B signals provided to the i-th display block DBi and determines the initial brightness of the i-th light-emitting block LBi. For example, when the image displayed on the central part of the LCD panel 300 is brighter than the image displayed on the edge of the LCD panel 300, as shown in FIG. the initial brightness of each. That is, among the 1st to 42nd light-emitting blocks LB1-LB42, the initial brightness of the 21st light-emitting block LB21 in the central part can be 150 nits (nit), and the initial brightness of the first light-emitting block LB1 in the edge part can be 150 nits. is 20 nits, and the initial brightness of the seventh light-emitting block LB7 may be 50 nits. Well-known nits are candelas per square meter. In this exemplary embodiment, the initial brightness determination unit 710 may be a look-up table (not shown) storing the initial brightness of the R, G, B signals.

Next, a method of determining the intermediate luminance of each of the respective light emitting blocks LB1˜LB42 by the final luminance determining unit 720 will be described. The final luminance determining unit 720 provides the i-th light-emitting block LBi (1 ) by reflecting from the side member 40 the diffuse luminance of the j-th light-emitting block LBj for the i-th light-emitting block LBi (1≤j≤n, i≠j). ≤i≤42) the reflected luminance determined for light, and the initial luminance are summed to determine the final luminance.

First, the final brightness determination unit 720 determines the diffuse brightness of the j-th light-emitting block LBj (1≤j≤42, i≠j) for the i-th light-emitting block LBi (1≤i≤42), which will be described with reference to FIG. 5B to FIG. 5D .

For example, light emitted from the 1st light-emitting block LB1, the 2nd light-emitting block LB2, the 8th light-emitting block LB8, the 13th light-emitting block LB13, and the 14th light-emitting block LB14 is diffused and supplied to the 7th light-emitting block LB7. From the initial brightness of the jth light-emitting block LBj (j=1, 2, 8, 13, 14) and the difference between the j-th light-emitting block LBj (j=1, 2, 8, 13, 14) and the seventh light-emitting block LB7 The positional relationship determines the intensity of light diffused from the jth light-emitting block LBj (j=1, 2, 8, 13, 14). For example, the initial brightness of the j-th light-emitting block LBj (j=1, 2, 8, 13, 14) is greater, and the j-th light-emitting block LBj (j=1, 2, 8, 13, 14) and the seventh light-emitting block The closer the distance between LB7 is, the greater the diffuse brightness of the j-th light-emitting block LBj (j=1, 2, 8, 13, 14) relative to the seventh light-emitting block LB7 is.

The final brightness determining unit 720 may use the window W shown in FIG. 5C to determine the diffuse brightness of the first light-emitting block LB1 to the seventh light-emitting block LB7. The window W shown in FIG. 5C is shaped as a matrix, such as a 5×5 matrix, and includes a criterion window CW and a plurality of sub-windows SW. In addition to the criterion window CW, each sub-window SW is given a diffusion coefficient.

For example, in order to determine the diffuse brightness of the first light-emitting block LB1 for the i-th light-emitting block LBi (2≤i≤42), the window W shown in FIG. 5C is positioned such that the criterion window CW overlaps the first light-emitting block LB1. In this exemplary embodiment, the diffuse brightness of the first light-emitting block LB1 to the second light-emitting block LB2 is 6 (=0.3×20) nits. That is, the diffuse brightness of the first light-emitting block LB1 to the second light-emitting block LB2 is the product of the diffuse brightness of the sub-window overlapping the second light-emitting block LB2 (ie 0.3) and the initial brightness of the first light-emitting block LB1 (ie 20) . In addition, the diffuse luminance of the first light-emitting block LB1 with respect to the seventh light-emitting block LB7 is 10 (=0.5×20) nits.

In this exemplary embodiment, the diffusion coefficient is different depending on the positional relationship between the i-th light-emitting block LBi (1≤i≤42) and the j-th light-emitting block LBj (i≠j). Although not shown, if the window W is positioned such that the criterion window CW overlaps the second light-emitting block LB2, the diffuse brightness of the second light-emitting block LB2 for the i-th light-emitting block LBi (1≤i≤42, i≠2) It is determined. In this way, the windows W are sequentially positioned so that the criterion window CW overlaps each of the light-emitting blocks LBj, thereby determining the ratio of the j-th light-emitting block LBj (i≠j) to the i-th light-emitting block LBi (1≤i≤42). Diffuse brightness.

Next, a method of determining the reflection luminance of the jth light-emitting block LBj (i≠j) with respect to the i-th light-emitting block LBi (1≤i≤n) by the final luminance determination unit 720 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5D to 5E .

Referring first to FIG. 5E , the light emitted from the 1st light emitting block LB1 is reflected by the side member 40 , and the reflected light is supplied to the 7th light emitting block LB7 . For example, as shown in FIG. 5E , assuming that the side member 40 includes a first inner surface 41 in a first direction and a second inner surface 42 in a second direction, the first inner surface 41 has a first reflection coefficient α, and the second inner surface 42 has the second reflection coefficient β, then the reflection brightness of the first light-emitting block LB1 to the seventh light-emitting block LB7 is determined by the initial brightness of the first light-emitting block LB1 (that is, 20), the first reflection coefficient α, and the second reflection coefficient β .

If it is assumed that the side member 40 is not provided in FIG. 5D , the light diffused from the first light-emitting block LB1 is supplied to a plurality of imaginary light-emitting blocks ILB1 to ILB3 . For example, the diffuse luminance of the first light-emitting block LB1 with respect to the first imaginary light-emitting block ILB1 is 2 (=0.1×20) nits. In addition, the diffusion luminance of the first light-emitting block LB1 with respect to the second imaginary light-emitting block ILB2 is 4 (=0.2×20) nits. In addition, the diffuse luminance of the first light-emitting block LB1 with respect to the third imaginary light-emitting block ILB3 is 2 (=0.1×20) nits. However, because of the presence of the side member 40 , the light supplied to the first to third imaginary light-emitting blocks ILB1˜ILB3 is reflected by the side member 40 and propagated to the seventh light-emitting block LB7 in the side member 40 .

In this exemplary embodiment, the first imaginary light-emitting block ILB1 and the seventh light-emitting block LB7 are symmetrical about the first inner surface 41 . Therefore, the luminance obtained by multiplying the diffuse luminance of the first light-emitting block LB1 with respect to the first imaginary light-emitting block ILB1 by the first reflection coefficient α is supplied to the seventh light-emitting block LB7. In addition, the second imaginary light-emitting block ILB2 and the seventh light-emitting block LB7 are symmetrical with respect to the second inner surface 42 . Therefore, the luminance obtained by multiplying the diffused luminance of the first light-emitting block LB1 with respect to the second imaginary light-emitting block ILB2 by the second reflection coefficient β is supplied to the seventh light-emitting block LB7. In addition, the third imaginary light-emitting block ILB3 and the seventh light-emitting block LB7 are symmetrical with respect to the first inner surface 41 and the second inner surface 42 . Therefore, the luminance obtained by multiplying the diffused luminance of the first light-emitting block LB1 with respect to the third imaginary light-emitting block ILB3 by the first reflection coefficient α is supplied to the seventh light-emitting block LB7. In this way, the final brightness determining unit 720 determines the reflection brightness of the jth light-emitting block LBj (i≠j) with respect to the i-th light-emitting block LBi (1≤i≤42).

Next, the final brightness determining unit 720 calculates the predetermined initial brightness of the i-th light-emitting block LBi (1≤i≤42), the i-th light-emitting block LBj (i≠j) and the i-th light-emitting block LBi (1≤i≤42) The final brightness is determined by adding the diffusion brightness and the reflection brightness of the jth light-emitting block LBj (i≠j) to the i-th light-emitting block LBi (1≤i≤42). The final brightness determination unit 720 then provides the light data LDAT corresponding to the final brightness to the 1st to nth backlight drivers 900_1~900_n.

In summary, the timing controller 800 determines the final brightness in consideration of the reflected brightness from the side member 40 and provides light data LDAT corresponding to the final brightness, thereby precisely controlling the brightness of each light emitting block LB1˜LBn. Therefore, the display quality of the LCD 10 can be improved.

A timing controller, a liquid crystal display including the timing controller, and a driving method of the liquid crystal display according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6 . 6 is a block diagram of a part of a liquid crystal display (LCD) for explaining a timing controller, an LCD including the timing controller, and a driving method of the LCD according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the same reference numerals denote the same elements as in FIGS. 2 and 4, and thus further description of the same elements is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 6 , unlike the exemplary embodiment described above, the timing controller 801 further includes a target brightness determination unit 731 and a final brightness determination unit 721, wherein the final brightness determination unit 721 includes an intermediate brightness determination unit 741, a comparator 751, and a corrector 761.

The target luminance determination unit 731 receives the R, G, B signals provided to the i-th display block DBi, for example, and determines the target luminance of the i-th light-emitting block LBi corresponding to the R, G, B signals, and provides the initial luminance determination unit 711 with Target brightness information TB. The initial brightness determination unit 711 receives the target brightness information TB, determines the initial brightness of the i-th light-emitting block LBi corresponding to the target brightness of the i-th light-emitting block LBi, reduces the target brightness and provides the initial brightness information IB to the intermediate brightness determination unit 741. As described above, the intermediate luminance determination unit 741 uses the initial luminance of the i-th light-emitting block LBi to determine the diffuse luminance of the j-th light-emitting block LBj (i≠j) for the i-th light-emitting block LBi and the j-th light-emitting block LBj (i≠j) For the reflected brightness of the i-th light-emitting block LBi. The intermediate luminance determination unit 741 calculates the initial luminance of the i-th light-emitting block LBi, the diffuse luminance of the j-th light-emitting block LBj (i≠j) for the i-th light-emitting block LBi, and the j-th light-emitting block LBj (i≠j) for the i-th light-emitting block LBj (i≠j) Reflected luminances of the light-emitting blocks LBi are added to determine intermediate luminance, and the intermediate luminance information MB is supplied to the comparator 751 . The comparator 751 receives the target brightness information TB and the intermediate brightness information MB, compares the target brightness information TB and the intermediate brightness information MB, and supplies the comparison brightness information CB to the corrector 761 . The corrector 761 receives the comparative brightness information CB and outputs light data LDAT. For example, if the intermediate brightness coincides with the target brightness, the corrector 761 determines the intermediate brightness as the final brightness without correction, and provides light data LDAT corresponding to the intermediate brightness. On the contrary, if the intermediate luminance is inconsistent with the target luminance, the corrector 761 corrects the intermediate luminance and then determines the corrected intermediate luminance as the final luminance, and provides light data LDAT corresponding to the final luminance, which will be explained in detail by way of example.

The target brightness determination unit 731 receives the R, G, B signals corresponding to the i-th display block DBi, sets the target brightness of the i-th light-emitting block LBi to 400 nits, and provides target brightness information TB to the initial brightness determination unit 711 . In this exemplary embodiment, the target brightness determining unit 731 determines representative values of R, G, B signals provided to the i-th display block DBi, and determines the target brightness according to the representative value of the i-th display block DBi. The representative value of the i-th display block DBi may be an average value of R, G, and B signals supplied to the i-th display block DBi. Alternatively, the representative value of the i-th display block DBi may be the maximum value of the R, G, and B signals provided to the i-th display block DBi. However, the method of determining the target luminance of the i-th light-emitting block LBi by the target luminance determining unit 731 is not limited to the method described here.

The initial brightness determining unit 711 may determine that the initial brightness is 250 nits, which is lower than the target brightness of 400 nits. In this exemplary embodiment, the initial luminance determining unit 711 may use a lookup table (not shown) that stores initial luminances corresponding to target luminances.

The intermediate brightness determination unit 741 can determine that the diffuse brightness of the j-th light-emitting block LBj (i≠j) for the i-th light-emitting block LBi is 70 nits, and can determine that the j-th light-emitting block LBj (i≠j) has a relative brightness of the i-th light-emitting block LBi The reflected brightness is 60 nits. In addition, the intermediate luminance determination unit 741 may set 250 nits as the initial luminance of the i-th light-emitting block LBi, 70 nits as the diffuse luminance of the j-th light-emitting block LBj to the i-th light-emitting block LBi (i≠j), and The intermediate luminance is set to be 380 nits as an addition of 60 nits to the reflected luminance of the j-th light-emitting block LBj with respect to the i-th light-emitting block LBi (i≠j). The middle brightness determination unit 741 supplies the middle brightness information MB to the comparator 751 .

The comparator 751 receives the target luminance information TB and the middle luminance information MB, and compares the target luminance information TB and the middle luminance information MB. Since the target luminance is 400 nits and the intermediate luminance is 380 nits, the comparator 751 supplies the corrector 761 with comparative luminance information CB notifying that the intermediate luminance is 20 nits lower than the target luminance.

The corrector 761 corrects the intermediate luminance using the comparative luminance information CB, then determines the corrected intermediate luminance, and provides light data LDAT corresponding to the final luminance. For example, the corrector 761 can increase the intermediate brightness of the i-th light-emitting block LBi by increasing the initial brightness of the i-th light-emitting block LBi. Alternatively, the corrector 761 can increase the intermediate brightness of the i-th light-emitting block LBi by increasing the diffuse brightness of the i-th light-emitting block LBi with respect to the j-th light-emitting block LBj (i≠j).

A timing controller, an LCD including the timing controller, and a driving method of the LCD according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7 . 7 is a block diagram of a part of a liquid crystal display (LCD) for explaining a timing controller, an LCD including the timing controller, and a driving method of the LCD according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals denote the same elements as in FIG. 6, and thus further description of the same elements is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 7 , unlike the above-described exemplary embodiments, the first timing controller 602 includes a target brightness determination unit 632 .

More specifically, the first timing controller 602 may include a control signal generator 612 , an image processor 622 and a target brightness determination unit 632 .

The control signal generator 612 receives external control signals Vsync, Hsync, Mclk and DE, and outputs a data control signal CONT1 and a gate control signal CONT2. The control signal generator 612 may output, for example, a vertical synchronization start signal STV instructing the gate driver 400 shown in FIG. An output enable signal OE of a pulse width, a horizontal synchronization start signal STH instructing the data driver 500 shown in FIG. 1 to start an operation, an output command signal TP instructing output of an image data voltage, and the like.

The image processor 622 receives and processes the R, G, B signals of the i-th display block DBi, and outputs image data DAT.

The target brightness determining unit 632 receives the R, G, B signals corresponding to the i-th display block DBi, determines the target brightness according to the representative value of the i-th display block DBi, and provides target brightness information TB to the second timing controller 702 . The representative value of the i-th display block DBi may be an average value of R, G, and B signals supplied to the i-th display block DBi. Alternatively, the representative value of the i-th display block DBi may be the maximum value of the R, G, and B signals provided to the i-th display block DBi. However, the method for the target luminance determination unit 632 to determine the target luminance of the i-th light-emitting block LBi is not limited to the method described here.

The second timing controller 702 includes an initial brightness determination unit 711 , an intermediate brightness determination unit 741 , a comparator 751 and a corrector 761 . The second timing controller 702 receives the target luminance information TB of the i-th light-emitting block LBi from the first timing controller 602, and outputs light data LDAT.

A timing controller, an LCD including the timing controller, and a driving method of the LCD according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8 . 8 is a block diagram of a part of a liquid crystal display (LCD) for explaining a timing controller, an LCD including the timing controller, and a driving method of the LCD according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8 , the same reference numerals denote the same elements as in FIGS. 6 and 7 , and thus further description of the same elements is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 8, unlike the exemplary embodiment described above, the comparator 753 provides the comparison brightness information CB to the first timing controller 603, and the second timing controller 703 does not include a corrector (761 shown in FIG. 7). In other words, if the target luminance does not coincide with the intermediate luminance, the first timing controller 603 changes the gradation of the image data DAT without correcting the intermediate luminance.

More specifically, the intermediate brightness determination unit 743 determines the intermediate brightness as the final brightness, and outputs light data LDAT corresponding to the intermediate brightness. The comparator 753 receives the intermediate brightness information MB and the target brightness information TB, compares the intermediate brightness information MB and the target brightness information TB, and provides the compared brightness information CB to the image processor 623 . If the target luminance is higher than the middle luminance, the image processor 623 outputs the image data DAT having a higher grayscale than the grayscale corresponding to the received R, G, B signals.

In other words, even if the final luminance of the i-th light-emitting block LBi is lower than the target luminance, the gray scale of the image data DAT supplied to the i-th display block DBi can be increased, so that the luminance of the i-th display block DBi can become equal to Target brightness. Alternatively, if the intermediate luminance is higher than the target luminance, the image processor 623 outputs the image data DAT having a lower gray level corresponding to the received R, G, B signals. In other words, even if the final luminance of the i-th light-emitting block LBi is higher than the target luminance, the gray scale of the image data DAT supplied to the i-th display block DBi can be reduced, so that the luminance of the i-th display block DBi can become equal to Target brightness.

However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example, and the target brightness determination unit 731 of the second timing controller 703 may be incorporated into the first timing controller 603 .

A timing controller, an LCD including the timing controller, and a driving method of the LCD according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9 . 9 is a block diagram of a part of a liquid crystal display (LCD) for explaining a timing controller, an LCD including the timing controller, and a driving method of the LCD according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the same reference numerals denote the same elements as in FIG. 6, and thus further description of the same elements is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 9 , unlike the exemplary embodiments described above, the LCD 14 includes a target brightness determination unit 731 , an initial brightness determination unit 711 , an intermediate brightness determination unit 742 , a comparator 754 and a corrector 761 .

LCD 14 also includes a brightness reading unit 774 . The second timing controller 704 provides intermediate light data LDAT_M corresponding to the intermediate brightness to the i-th backlight driver 900i, corrects the intermediate light data LDAT_M according to the brightness of the i-th light-emitting block LBi measured by the brightness reading unit 774, and provides the final light The data LDAT is sent to the i-th backlight driver 900_i.

More specifically, the intermediate brightness determining unit 742 receives the initial brightness information IB, determines the intermediate brightness, and provides intermediate light data LDAT_M corresponding to the intermediate brightness to the i-th backlight driver 900_i. The i th backlight driver 900_i adjusts the brightness of the i th light emitting block LBi in response to the intermediate light data LDAT_M. The luminance reading unit 774 receives light emitted from the i-th light-emitting block LBi, measures the luminance of the i-th light-emitting block LBi, and provides measured luminance information MB to the comparator 754 . The comparator 754 receives and compares the target luminance information TB and the measured luminance information MB, and supplies the comparison luminance information CB to the corrector 761 . For example, if the target luminance information TB coincides with the measured luminance information MB, the corrector 761 provides the intermediate light data LDAT_M as final light data LDAT to the i-th backlight driver 900_i without correcting the intermediate light data LDAT_M. On the contrary, if the target luminance information TB does not coincide with the measured luminance information MB, the corrector 761 corrects the intermediate light data LDAT_M and provides the corrected intermediate light data LDAT_M to the i-th backlight driver 900_i as final light data LDAT.

However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example, and the target brightness determination unit 731 of the second timing controller 704 may be incorporated into the first timing controller 600 . In addition, the second timing controller 704 may not include the corrector 761 . In this case, the comparator 754 may provide the comparison brightness information CB to the first timing controller 600, and the first timing controller 600 may change the gray level of the intermediate image data DAT.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. various changes. It is therefore intended that the exemplary embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, with reference to the appended claims rather than the foregoing description being indicative of the scope of the invention.

Cross References to Related Applications

This disclosure claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0107991 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Oct. 25, 2007, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Claims (18)

1. LCD LCD comprises:

The LCD panel;

Light source cell is divided into n light-emitting block and to the LCD panel light is provided;

Side member, the light that reflection is sent from this light source cell;

Timing controller, be used for through with the original intensity of said each light-emitting block, based on from the reflection of light brightness of said side member reflection with by the diffusion brightness of confirming from the light of other light-emitting block diffusion mutually the Calais confirm a said n light-emitting block each final brightness and provide and be somebody's turn to do definite corresponding final light data of final brightness; And

Backlight driver is used for the brightness in response to each of the said n of this a final light Data Control light-emitting block.

2. LCD according to claim 1, wherein, this timing controller receives view data, confirms the original intensity of said each light-emitting block corresponding with this view data.

3. LCD according to claim 1, wherein, this timing controller receives view data and confirms the object brightness of i light-emitting block, wherein 1≤i≤n; Confirm corresponding and be lower than the original intensity of the i light-emitting block of this object brightness with the object brightness of said i light-emitting block; Confirm of the diffusion brightness of j light-emitting block for said i light-emitting block, 1≤j≤n wherein, j ≠ i is through confirming this diffusion brightness from the light of j light-emitting block diffusion; Through said original intensity, said reflecting brightness and said diffusion brightness are confirmed the intermediate luminance of said i light-emitting block in the Calais mutually; And more said object brightness and said intermediate luminance, the final brightness of proofreading and correct this intermediate luminance and definite said i light-emitting block according to comparative result.

4. LCD according to claim 3, wherein, this side member around the said the 1st to the n light-emitting block; With respect to the j light-emitting block; Said i light-emitting block appears at the i position, and said i light-emitting block is symmetrical about this side member with the k imagination light-emitting block that is positioned at outside the said side member, and with respect to said j light-emitting block; Said k imagination light-emitting block appears at the k position

Said timing controller multiplies each other to confirm the diffusion brightness of said j light-emitting block for said i light-emitting block through the original intensity with i coefficient of diffusion and j light-emitting block; Multiply each other to confirm of the diffusion brightness of said j light-emitting block through original intensity for said k imagination light-emitting block with k coefficient of diffusion and j light-emitting block; Through the j light-emitting block is multiplied each other to confirm the reflecting brightness of said j light-emitting block for said i light-emitting block for the diffusion brightness of k imagination light-emitting block and the reflection coefficient of side member; And through the original intensity of said i light-emitting block, said j light-emitting block are confirmed the final brightness of said i light-emitting block for the reflecting brightness phase Calais of said i light-emitting block for the diffusion brightness of said i light-emitting block, said j light-emitting block.

5. LCD according to claim 4; Wherein, Said side member comprises first inside surface of first direction and second inside surface of second direction; If said i light-emitting block and said k imagination light-emitting block are about said first inside surface symmetry, then said timing controller is through multiplying each other to confirm the reflecting brightness of said j light-emitting block for said i light-emitting block with said j light-emitting block for the diffusion brightness of said k imagination light-emitting block and first reflection coefficient of said first inside surface; If said i light-emitting block and said k imagination light-emitting block are about said second inside surface symmetry, then said timing controller is through multiplying each other to confirm the reflecting brightness of said j light-emitting block for said i light-emitting block with said j light-emitting block for the diffusion brightness of said k imagination light-emitting block and second reflection coefficient of said second inside surface; And; If said i light-emitting block and said k imagination light-emitting block is about said first and second inside surfaces symmetry, then said timing controller is through will said j light-emitting block multiplying each other to confirm the reflecting brightness of said j light-emitting block for said i light-emitting block for the diffusion brightness and said first and second reflection coefficients of the imaginary light-emitting block of said k.

6. LCD according to claim 1; Wherein, This timing controller receives view data and confirms the object brightness of said i light-emitting block, 1≤i≤n wherein, and confirm corresponding with the object brightness of said i light-emitting block and be lower than the original intensity of the i light-emitting block of this object brightness; Confirm of the diffusion brightness of said j light-emitting block for said i light-emitting block, 1≤j≤n wherein, j ≠ i is through confirming this diffusion brightness from the light of said j light-emitting block diffusion; Through said original intensity, reflecting brightness and diffusion brightness are confirmed first intermediate luminance of said i light-emitting block in the Calais mutually; And the intermediate light data corresponding with said first intermediate luminance are provided; More said object brightness and second intermediate luminance of measuring according to the light that sends from said a plurality of light-emitting blocks in response to these intermediate light data are according to these intermediate light data of comparison brightness information correction and final light data are provided.

7. LCD according to claim 6, wherein, said LCD also comprises

The brightness reading unit uses the light that sends from said i light-emitting block in response to these intermediate light data to measure said second intermediate luminance, and

Said timing controller comprises: object brightness is confirmed the unit, receives the object brightness of view data and definite said i light-emitting block; Original intensity is confirmed the unit, confirms the original intensity corresponding with this object brightness; Intermediate luminance is confirmed the unit, through said original intensity, diffusion brightness are confirmed said first intermediate luminance in the Calais mutually with reflecting brightness; Comparer, more said second intermediate luminance and said object brightness; And corrector, according to these intermediate light data of comparison brightness information correction and export final light data.

8. LCD according to claim 1, wherein, this timing controller comprises: object brightness is confirmed the unit, the object brightness of reception view data and definite i light-emitting block is 1≤i≤n wherein; Original intensity is confirmed the unit, confirms corresponding with the object brightness of said i light-emitting block and is lower than original intensity this object brightness, the i light-emitting block; Intermediate luminance is confirmed the unit; The said j light-emitting block that its definite light that is spread by the j light-emitting block is confirmed is for the diffusion brightness of said i light-emitting block; 1≤j≤n wherein; J ≠ i, 1≤i≤n, and this intermediate luminance confirms that the unit is through confirm the intermediate luminance of said i light-emitting block in the Calais with said original intensity, reflecting brightness and diffusion brightness mutually; And comparer, more said object brightness and intermediate luminance.

9. LCD according to claim 8, wherein, this timing controller also comprises corrector, is used for proofreading and correct according to comparison brightness information the final brightness of this intermediate luminance and definite said i light-emitting block.

10. LCD according to claim 9, wherein, each of said a plurality of light-emitting blocks comprises light-emitting component, this light-emitting component is a light emitting diode.

11. LCD according to claim 1, wherein, said LCD panel be divided into the said the 1st to the n light-emitting block corresponding the 1st to the n displaying block, and the brightness of each displaying block is controlled by images displayed on it.

12. one kind to light source cell provide side member that the timing controller of light data, this light source cell be reflected light around and be divided into a plurality of light-emitting blocks, this timing controller comprises:

Object brightness is confirmed the unit, is used to receive view data and the object brightness of confirming the i light-emitting block, wherein 1≤i≤n;

Original intensity is confirmed the unit, confirms corresponding with the object brightness of said i light-emitting block and is lower than original intensity this object brightness, the i light-emitting block;

Intermediate luminance is confirmed the unit; The said j light-emitting block that definite light that is spread by the j light-emitting block is confirmed is for the diffusion brightness of said i light-emitting block; 1≤j≤n wherein; J ≠ i, 1≤i≤n confirms the reflecting brightness of said j light-emitting block for said i light-emitting block; And, wherein send and confirmed the reflecting brightness of said j light-emitting block for said i light-emitting block by the light of said side member reflection by said j light-emitting block through said original intensity, reflecting brightness and diffusion brightness are confirmed the intermediate luminance of said i light-emitting block in the Calais mutually;

Comparer, more said intermediate luminance and object brightness; And

Corrector, it proofreaies and correct this intermediate luminance according to comparison brightness information, confirms the final brightness of said i light-emitting block and the light data corresponding with this original intensity are provided.

13. timing controller according to claim 12, wherein, when this side member around the said the 1st during to the n light-emitting block; With respect to said j light-emitting block; Said i light-emitting block appears at the i position, and said i light-emitting block is symmetrical about said side member with the k imagination light-emitting block that is positioned at outside the said side member, and with respect to said j light-emitting block; Said k imagination light-emitting block appears at the k position

This intermediate luminance confirms that the unit multiplies each other to confirm the diffusion brightness of said j light-emitting block for the i light-emitting block through the original intensity with i coefficient of diffusion and said j light-emitting block; Multiply each other to confirm of the diffusion brightness of said j light-emitting block through original intensity for said k imagination light-emitting block with k coefficient of diffusion and said j light-emitting block; Through said j light-emitting block is multiplied each other to confirm the reflecting brightness of said j light-emitting block for said i light-emitting block for the diffusion brightness of said k imagination light-emitting block and the reflection coefficient of said side member; And through the original intensity of said i light-emitting block, said j light-emitting block are confirmed the final brightness of said i light-emitting block for the reflecting brightness phase Calais of said i light-emitting block for the diffusion brightness of said i light-emitting block, said j light-emitting block.

14. timing controller according to claim 13; Wherein, When said side member comprises second inside surface of first inside surface and second direction of first direction; If said i light-emitting block and said k imagination light-emitting block are about said first inside surface symmetry, then said intermediate luminance confirms that the unit is through multiplying each other to confirm the reflecting brightness of said j light-emitting block for said i light-emitting block with said j light-emitting block for the diffusion brightness of said k imagination light-emitting block and first reflection coefficient of said first inside surface; If said i light-emitting block and k imagination light-emitting block are about said second inside surface symmetry, then said intermediate luminance confirms that the unit is through multiplying each other to confirm the reflecting brightness of said j light-emitting block for said i light-emitting block with said j light-emitting block for the diffusion brightness of said k imagination light-emitting block and second reflection coefficient of said second inside surface; If said i light-emitting block and said k imagination light-emitting block is about said first and second inside surfaces symmetry, then said intermediate luminance confirms that the unit is through will said j light-emitting block multiplying each other to confirm the reflecting brightness of said j light-emitting block for the i light-emitting block for the diffusion brightness and said first and second reflection coefficients of the imaginary light-emitting block of said k.

15. the driving method of a LCD LCD comprises:

LCD is provided, the side member of the light that light source cell and the reflection that it comprises the LCD panel, be divided into a plurality of light-emitting blocks provides from this light source cell;

Through with the original intensity of said each light-emitting block, based on from the reflection of light brightness of said side member reflection with confirm each final brightness of said a plurality of light-emitting blocks in the Calais mutually by the diffusion brightness of confirming from the light of other light-emitting block diffusion;

The light data corresponding with determined final brightness are provided; And

Brightness in response to one of said a plurality of light-emitting blocks of this light Data Control.

16. driving method according to claim 15, wherein, said definite final brightness comprises:

Receive view data; And

Confirm the original intensity of one of said a plurality of light-emitting blocks corresponding with this view data.

17. driving method according to claim 15, wherein, said definite final brightness comprises:

Receive view data;

Confirm the object brightness of the said light-emitting block corresponding with this view data;

Confirm corresponding and be lower than the original intensity of this object brightness with this object brightness;

The light of another diffusion of use from said a plurality of light-emitting blocks is confirmed diffusion brightness;

Through said original intensity, reflecting brightness and diffusion brightness are confirmed intermediate luminance in the Calais mutually; And

Relatively this object brightness and this intermediate luminance.

18. driving method according to claim 17, wherein, said definite final brightness also comprises according to comparison brightness information proofreaies and correct this intermediate luminance.

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